Papua New Guinea will be sending 1000 seasonal workers for employment under the Labour Mobility Program in New Zealand, an increase from 81 currently employed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko announced this after his virtual conference meeting with the authorities of the New Zealand government on the 14^th of February 2023. 

Whilst in New Zealand, Minister Tkatchenko accepted the invitation by his counterpart Foreign Minister Hon. Hanaia Mahuta to visit the Labour Mobility office with the aim of requesting for an increase in the numbers of PNG seasonal workers.

He acknowledged the New Zealand Government for the support in offering 1000 spaces which had become vacant when Samoa was off the supply line.

Minister Tkatchenko assured NZ that PNG is ready to participate in a bigger and better way than before.

“We have the necessary systems and processes in place through our Labour Mobility Unit and we are confident that we can meet the labour demand in New Zealand.”

“Just tell us what you want and we can make it happen, a win-win situation for both our people and our countries,” Minister Tkatchenko said.

Currently, there are 81 Recognized Seasonal Employers (RSE) in New Zealand. As an outcome of the meeting, Minister Tkatchenko informed that PNG is ready to send 1000 workers to New Zealand as a start.

The virtual conference had agreed that the time was right given the appetite for workers in New Zealand with Samoa off the supply chain.

The meeting agreed to commence preparations for PNG workers to be sent to New Zealand as soon as practicable given PNG’s keen interest to increase its numbers in the RSE scheme.

It was agreed at the virtual conference that an officer would be assigned based at the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby to be responsible for processing the seasonal workers travel arrangements.

The conference also discussed the concerns about travel arrangements and there was consideration for further discussions with relevant authorities of the PNG Government to introduce direct flights to New Zealand.

Moresby South District Administrator Aisop Mol was happy to hear about the approval of 1000 workers and he will ensure he gets his youths on the program. 

Having managed only eight workers to Australia since joining he program in December last year, Mr Mol was grateful for the news of increased seasonal workers for New Zealand.

“I’m grateful to the Governments of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea reaching an understanding to increase the number of seasonal workers.

“We have workers already cleared for travel to participate in the Labour mobility program and it’s a welcoming news that 1000 places were made available,” Mr Mol said.